UPDATE: The New Canaan Preservation Alliance is disappointed with the vote of the Board of Selectmen to demolish the Mead Park Brick Barn. Nevertheless, the NCPA stands ready to step in and proceed with the restoration.

Remember, the greenest building is the one standing!

The Town Council tabled the vote to approve the NCPA plan to restore and use the Mead Park Brick Barn. The Town Council tabled the vote to rescind the $65,000 appropriation to demolition the Mead Park Brick Barn. The Town's legal counsel opinion, written by and associate in Ira Bloom's office, is in direct conflict with that written by the noted municipal lawyer retained by the NCPA. You can access the two legal opinions here.

The NCPA requested that the Town Council return to Ira Bloom, Town legal counsel, for clarification. Ira Bloom's opinion was written by an associate with 7 years experience who cited no case law. The NCPA retained a distinguished municipal attorney with 33 years experience, and had served as president of the Connecticut Municipal Attorneys Association. His opinion stated case law and confirmed a Town Council has the ability to rescind an appropriation.

The NCPA presented a credible plan to restore and use Mead Park Brick Barn. The NCPA was transparent about the restoration process and the sources of funding. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the funding for this project was to come from the state preservation programs. No taxpayer dollars were to be spent. It is the wish of the NCPA that the restoration of the MPBB be viewed as a pilot and replicated by the Town for the restoration, adaptive reuse and maintenance of its many historic buildings currently in serious disrepair. The NCPA offered to be a partner with the town in this long term, productive endeavor.

The Town Council chose to not vote and send the demolition contract back to the Board of Selectmen. The Board of Selectmen voted to to approve the demolition contract in a 2-1 vote, with Kit Devereaux voting to save the Barn and Nick Williams and Kevin Moynihan voting for the demolition.

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EMAIL WRITTEN BY TOWN COUNCIL MEMBER JOE PALADINO IN SUPPORT OF THE SAVE MEAD PARK BRICK BARN EFFORT. IT WAS READ INTO THE RECORD BY SELECTMAN KIT DEVEREAUX PRIOR TO THE BOS VOTE AND AFTER 10 OR SO OTHER RESIDENTS SPOKE. JOE OUTLINES HIS CONCERN ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (DEEP) ISSUES THAT MAY ARISE FROM DISTURBING THE SLAB.

So often when individuals run for public office, their platforms often include promises of transparency, fiscal responsibility and an open inclusive style of governance. Please trust that many of us, despite our best intentions are missing the mark. As a municipality, we surround ourselves with committee members, boards, commissions, paid “experts” and legal opinions that validate what ever it is that we want approved or what ever end result we desire.
With regards to the Mead Park Brick Barn, we are told that the abatement and demolition costs will not exceed $65,000.00. When I checked with the DEEP (Department of Energy & Environmental Protection), I am told that once the slab, (that is now cov[er]ed by the Brick Barn structure) is exposed, if it is found to have concentrated levels of contaminants, an order of enforcement action should be expected. In the private sector, this process can be costly and unpleasant, I would assume that the regulatory enforcement would not be any different for a municipality. I also had the opportunity to speak to the DPH (Department of Public Health), it is my understanding that even if we have no intent to remove or disturb the existing slab, that area would have to be tested to show that it is free from contaminants. The DPH is actually the regulatory body with regards to remediation standards.
It is on record that the Brick Barn originally had a dirt floor until around 1915. It is also on record that this structure has housed hazardous waste, including kerosene, fuel oil and other petroleum products, that being said, the potential for contamination under the slab should be a surprise to no one. While I have not seen the bid documents or the detailed bid estimate for the remediation of this structure, it is my understanding that the town has no plans to remediate the slab and subsequent soil. If that is correct, then we most likely have no funds for soil testing or remediation in the 65K project bid. While I am not a soil scientist, it appears as though there are wetlands within 100 feet of this structure and 150 feet from a watercourse.
The alternative to demolition would be to embrace the diverse group of talented individuals who are part of the NCPA. This group has been trying to save this structure since 2010. They are prepared to take this building from it’s current state and do a complete renovation as a pilot program to benefit the The entire town of New Canaan. Rather than embrace this group, we have treated them with such disrespect that I fall short on the proper words that might express my true feelings. When Nick Williams sent this issue back to the town council last month, we had a unique opportunity to change the course of action and allow the NCPA an opportunity to embrace this project. Rather than to capitalize on this, the majority of the TC hid behind the legal opinion from our town attorney and decided to send it back to the BOS for the final say. Does anyone think that such an accomplished practicing attorney like Nick Williams would have sent this back to the Town Council if we did not have the legal right to revisit this issue? Absolutely ridiculous.
In closing, I am respectfully requesting that the BOS remove the demolition order and allow the NCPA to continue the mission of preserving the Mead Park Barn. Enough of this chess match, let’s do what is right for the structure in the spirit of preservation. My sincere apologies for anyone that I may have offended, as that is certainly not my intent. While I often disagree with some of my colleagues, I have great respect for each of you. Please trust that I would have been at this meeting, unfortunately, I find myself with another serious health issue with one of my core family members that requires much of my time, including this morning. I am sure that if any of you spent as much time as I have at Yale hospital over the last three years, you probably would appreciate and embrace those around you who truly want to make New Canaan a better place. Please allow the NCPA the opportunity to save the Mead Park Barn.

Respectfully submitted,
Joseph Paladino

In an effort to Save Mead Park Brick Barn the NCPA completed the following:

NCPA retained noted CT legal counsel and issued his written opinion that the Town Council can rescind the vote to fund the demolition of the Barn

NCPA restoration experts surveyed and documented the building and then produced restoration drawings and specifications

NCPA presented the restoration documents to the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office for funding preview

NCPA produced and presented a proposal for restoration funding and facilitation to the Town of New Canaan using the Mead Park Brick Barn as a pilot program. There is now an update to the CT state grants which will reduce the overall project schedule from 3-4 years, to just two.

NCPA reached out to all representatives of Town government to meet and discuss details of the proposal, updates and answer questions

“While utilitarian buildings such as this appear simple in design, they are important physical expressions of former life ways that allow us to connect with our past and understand the history of our local landscapes. The Mead Park Carriage Barn is particularly notable as a rare type of specialized building……. The Mead Park Carriage Barn is a key resource that marks a formerly industrial section of town….”

“The structure is individually listed on the State Register of Historic Places. The State Register of Historic Places is an official listing of properties and sites important to the historical development of Connecticut……The Connecticut Trust has worked with New Canaan Preservation Alliance to identify available sources of funding for the rehabilitation of historic structures….”

“The building has a rich history; represents a significant technological period in New Canaan's, and the nation's, history; poses no obstacle to the town's use of existing resources; and has unexplored use-value to the town and its residents. Rather than demolish it, I encourage its preservation as an opportunity to utilize former industrial space for the benefit of the town and its citizens.”

“I write to urge your careful consideration of all alternatives to the destruction of the Mead Park Standard Oil Brick Barn. Historic structures are an integral part of Connecticut's culture. It is important that every effort is made to seek ways to preserve these buildings.”